Building system provided with a crash lateral side that is adapted to collapse firstly under high-heat temperature

ABSTRACT

A building system is provided with a crash lateral side that is adapted to crash firstly under high-heat temperature. The building system includes a first building structure having a plurality of first horizontal beams and a plurality of first vertical support structures; a first fire-resistant floor erected uprightly on the first building structure; and a second building structure erected uprightly on the first fire-resistant floor, and having a plurality of second horizontal beams and a plurality of second vertical support structures. The second vertical support structures adjacent to the crash lateral side have a relatively low fire-resistant strength when compared to remaining portions of the second vertical support structures away from the crash lateral side such that the second vertical support structures adjacent to the crash lateral side are adapted to collapse toward the crash lateral side under the high-heat temperature.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a building system, more particularly to a building system provided with a crash lateral side that is adapted to collapse first of all under high-heat temperature or in case of an outbreak of a fire.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The building technique advances ceaselessly as the city-dwelling population increases. Hence, it is in the trend to construct high-rise building structures in the modern cities. Presently, the majority of the high-rise buildings are designed in steel structures in order to shorten the construction time and in order to possess high rigidity strength and quality stability when compared to reinforced concrete buildings. The major disadvantage of these high-rise building is that it has poor heat resistant property. In the event of a fire outbreak or when encountering a terrorist attack, a fire engine is unable to extinguish the fire in addition to that the interior portion of the steel structure firstly and suddenly collapses owing to the high-heat temperature. Therefore, when designing the structure of the high-heat building, the fire-proof property (or heat tolerance) is one priority concern to be considered in addition to the tolerance strength to counter an externally applied force.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional building system 100, and includes a plurality of steel structures 101, each has a plurality of storeys. Each steel structure 101 includes a plurality of horizontal steel beams 102, a plurality of vertical steel columns 103 and a plurality of floors 104. In the prior art, in order to enhance heat tolerance and fire-proof property of the steel structure, heat-resistant materials (like calcium silicate and asbestos) are coated onto the horizontal steel beams 102 and the vertical steel columns 103. In addition, in order to control the spread of fire at a certain storey, said storey is provided with a fire-resistant floor 104 a that is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/865,732 and that has a specific design such that the terrible part of the fire and excessive high temperature are blocked above the fire-resistant floor 104 a (i.e., at the upper storey), thereby preventing the spread of fire to the lower storey such that people living downstairs below the fire-resistant floor 104 a have sufficient time to escape from being caught in the fire.

FIG. 2 illustrates collapse of the conventional building system under high-heat temperature. Although the horizontal steel beams 102 and the vertical steel columns 103 are coated with heat-resistant materials, the horizontal steel beams 102 and the vertical steel columns 103 above the fire-resistant floor 104 a are subjected to collapse due to prolong burning of the fire, which, in turn, causes breakup or breakdown of the horizontal steel beams 102 and the vertical steel columns 103, and a sudden downfall and collision of the broken steels beams and columns 102, 103 against the fire-resistant floor 104 a may cause breakup the structure of the fire-resistant floor 104 a, thereby endangering those rescue personnel below and may finally lead to total collapse of the whole building system 100.

Therefore, to eliminate the disadvantages caused by the conventional building system, a novel design for a building system is necessary to reduce the impact of the collapsed storeys, which are located above the fire-resistant floor and which may collide against the fire-resistant floor due to continuation of the fire burning. Hence, the fire fighting personnel can avoid the danger of being injured during the rescue operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main object of the present invention is to provide a building system, which will collapse first of all toward a crash lateral side under high-heat temperature, thereby reducing the impact of the collapsed building part against a fire-resistant floor located underneath thereof.

The building system according to the present invention is provided with a crash lateral side which is adapted to collapse first of all under the high-heat temperature, and includes a first building structure, a first fire-resistant floor and a second building structure, wherein the first fire-resistant floor is used to isolate or prevent heat conduction between the first and second building structures. The first building structure has a plurality of storeys, each storey includes a plurality of first horizontal beams, a plurality of first vertical support structures and a plurality of partition floors. Each first vertical support structure is a steel structure and is constituted by at least one column or wall. The first fire-resistant floor is erected uprightly on a top end of the first building structure. The second building structure is erected uprightly on the first fire-resistant floor, and has a plurality of storeys. Each storey includes a plurality of second horizontal beams and a plurality of second vertical support structures. Each second vertical support structure is a steel structure and is constituted by at least one column or wall.

The distinguished feature of the present invention resides in that the second vertical support structures adjacent to the crash lateral side have a relatively low fire-resistant strength when compared to remaining portions of the second vertical support structures away from the crash lateral side such that the under the normal condition, the vertical support strength of the second vertical support structures is the same throughout the entire width of the second building structures. However, in case of a breakout of fire (or when under the high-heat temperature), the second vertical support structures adjacent to the crash lateral side collapses firstly toward the crash lateral side due to its relatively low fire-resistant strength in comparison to the remaining portion of the second vertical support structures.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the second vertical support structure adjacent to the crash lateral side has a relatively low fire-resistant strength when compared to remaining portions of said second vertical support structures away from the crash lateral side.

In another embodiment, the second vertical support structures adjacent to the crash lateral side is coated by a first heat-resistant material having a relatively low fire-resistant strength while the remaining portions thereof away from the crash lateral side are coated by a second heat-resistant material having a relatively high fire-resistant strength.

Preferably, each of the first vertical support structures has an upper surface that is used for engaging with the first fire-resistant floor and that is formed with a plurality retention recesses. In the same manner, each of the second vertical support structures has a bottom surface that is to be disposed on the first fire-resistant floor and that is formed with a plurality of downward protrusions extending respectively into the plurality retention recesses. The building system of the present invention further includes a third heat-resistant material filling the gaps between the retention recesses and the downward protrusions in order to isolate heat conduction thereamong.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of this invention will become more apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of this invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a conventional building system;

FIG. 2 illustrates collapse of the conventional building system under high-heat temperature;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a building system of the present invention, which includes a crash lateral side adapted to collapse first of all under high-heat temperature;

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of a first building structure, a first fire-resistant floor and a second building structure in the building system of the present invention;

FIG. 4B illustrates structural relationship among a first vertical support structure, the first fire-resistant floor and a second vertical support structure in the building structure of the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of a second building structure, a second fire-resistant floor and a third building structure in the building system of the present invention;

FIG. 5B illustrates structural relationship among a second vertical support structure, the second fire-resistant floor and a third vertical support structure in the building structure of the present invention;

FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view of the building structure of the present invention taken along the line C-C in FIG. 5A; and

FIG. 6 shows collapse of the building system of the present invention under high-heat temperature during an outbreak of a fire.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a building system 300 of the present invention, which includes a crash lateral side 500 that is located at the outermost part of the building system and that forms a building part with a relatively low fire-resistant strength so that in case of an outbreak of a fire, the crash lateral side 500 collapses first of all under the high-heat temperature. As illustrated, the building system 300 of the present invention includes a first building structure 301, a first fire-resistant floor 401, a second building structure 302, a second fire-resistant floor 402 and a third building structure 302, wherein the first fire-resistant floor 401 is located between the first and second building structures 301,302, and is used to isolate or prevent heat conduction between the first and second building structures 301,302, while the second fire-resistant floor 402 is located between the second and third building structures 302, 303 and is used to isolate or prevent heat conduction between the second and third building structures 302,303. The location of the crash lateral side 500 in the building system 300 of the present invention is determined in accordance with the ambient surrounding. The crash lateral side 500 is so named due to its location, which is close to a water pond or an empty space surrounding the building system 300 of the present invention. Under such circumstances, in case of an outbreak of a fire, the building system 300 of the present invention will firstly collapse toward the crash lateral side 500 (i.e., there is no vertical collapse of the building), thereby preventing injuries caused to those people living below and simultaneously reducing damage caused to the valuable property due to sidewise collapse of the building system 300 of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the first building structure 301, the first fire-resistant floor 401 and the second building structure 302 in the building system 300 of the present invention. As shown, the first building structure 301 has a plurality of storeys, each storey includes a plurality of first horizontal beams 3011, a plurality of first vertical support structures 3012 and a plurality of first partition floors 3013. Each first vertical support structure 3012 is a steel structure and is constituted by a plurality of columns or walls (W1). The first fire-resistant floor 401 is erected uprightly on a top end of the first building structure 301, while the second building structure 302 is erected uprightly on the first fire-resistant floor 401, and has a plurality of storeys. Each storey includes a plurality of second horizontal beams 3021, a plurality of second vertical support structures 3022 and a plurality of second partition floors 3023. Each second vertical support structure 3022 is a steel structure, and is constituted by a plurality of columns or walls (W2).

The second vertical support structures 3022 a adjacent to the crash lateral side 500 have a relatively low fire-resistant strength when compared to the remaining portion of the second vertical support structures 3022 b away from the crash lateral side 500. Under the normal condition (i.e., normal temperature), the vertical support strength of the second vertical support structures 3022 is the same throughout the entire width thereof, however in case of an breakout of fire (i.e., under high-heat temperature), the second vertical support structures 3022 a adjacent the crash lateral side will collapse firstly toward the crash lateral side 500 due to its relatively low fire-resistant strength in comparison to the remaining of the second vertical support structure 3022 b due to its relatively high fire-resistant strength.

The second vertical support structures 3022 a adjacent to the crash lateral side 500 are made from materials with a relatively low fire-resistant strength while the second vertical support structures 3022 b away from the crash lateral side 500 thereof are made from materials with a relatively high fire-resistant strength. Under the normal condition, the vertical support strength of the second vertical support structures 3022 is the same throughout the entire width. In one embodiment of the present invention, a first heat-resistant material 600 with a relatively low fire-resistant strength is applied to the second vertical support structure 3022 a adjacent to the crash lateral side 500 while a second heat-resistant material 602 with a relatively high fire-resistant strength is applied on the second vertical support structure 3022 b away from the crash lateral side 500. Generally speaking, a reinforced concrete building system possesses a better fire-resistant strength in comparison to a building system with steel structures. Of course, the building system with different ratio of reinforced concrete has different heat resistant capacity. The heat-resistant materials employed in the building system 300 of the present invention can also include concrete or any other heat-resistant materials.

To be more specific, not the entire part of the second vertical support structure 3022 a adjacent to the crash lateral side 500 is made from the low heat-resistant materials. Note that only a certain part, such as the vertical column or wall (W2) adjacent to the crash lateral side 500 can be constructed with the heat-resistant material with a relatively low fire-resistant strength while the remaining portion of the second vertical support structure 3022 b away from the crash lateral side 500 can be constructed with another heat-resistant material having a relatively high fire-resistant strength.

As shown in FIG. 4B, even though the first and second building structures 301, 302 are partitioned by the first fire-resistant floor 401, each of the first vertical support structures has an upper surface that is used for engaging with the first fire-resistant floor 401 and that is formed with a plurality retention recesses 3014. In the same manner, each of the second vertical support structures 3022 has a bottom surface that is to be disposed on the first fire-resistant floor 401 and that is formed with a plurality of downward protrusions 3024 extending respectively into the retention recesses 3014. In order to enhance binding strength between the recesses 3014 and the protrusions 3024, a third heat-resistant material 700 is injected into the gaps between the retention recesses 3014 and the downward protrusions 3024 in order to isolate heat conduction thereamong. After solidification of the third heat-resistant material 700, the first and second building structures 301, 302 are bond strongly together so as to withstand a terrible wind blow and simultaneously tolerate vibration along the horizontal direction in time of earthquake.

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view, illustrating the second building structure 302, the second fire-resistant floor 402 and the third building structure 303 in the building system of the present invention. Since the construction of the first and second building structures 301, 302 are already mentioned in the above paragraphs, a detailed description thereof is omitted herein for the sake of brevity. As shown, the third building structure 303 is erected uprightly on the second fire-resistant floor 402, and has a plurality of storeys. Each storey includes a plurality of third horizontal beams 3031, a plurality of third vertical support structures 3032 and a plurality of third partition floors 3033. Each third vertical support structure 3032 is a steel structure, and is constituted by a plurality of columns or walls (W3).

Under the normal condition (i.e., normal temperature), the vertical support strength of the third vertical support structures 3032 is the same throughout the entire width thereof. The third vertical support structures 3022 a adjacent to the crash lateral side 500 have a relatively low fire-resistant strength when compared to the remaining portion of the third vertical support structures 3022 ba away from the crash lateral side 500.

In the same manner, the second heat-resistant material 602 with a relatively high fire-resistant strength is applied to the third vertical support structures 3032 b away from the crash lateral side 500 while the first heat-resistant material 600 with a relatively low fire-resistant strength is applied on the third vertical support structures 3032 a adjacent to the crash lateral side 500.

As shown in FIG. 5B, even though the second and third building structures 302,303 are partitioned by the second fire-resistant floor 402, each of the second vertical support structures has an upper surface that is used for engaging with the second fire-resistant floor 402 and that is formed with a plurality retention recesses 3025. In the same manner, each of the third vertical support structures 3032 has a bottom surface that is to be disposed on the second fire-resistant floor 402 and that is formed with a plurality of downward protrusions 3035 extending respectively into the retention recesses 3025. In order to enhance binding strength between the recesses 3025 and the protrusions 3035, the third heat-resistant material 700 is injected into the gaps between the retention recesses 3025 and the downward protrusions 3035 in order to isolate heat conduction thereamong. After solidification of the third heat-resistant material 700, the second and third building structures 302,303 are bond strongly together so as to withstand a terrible wind blow and simultaneously tolerate vibration along the horizontal direction in time of earthquake.

FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view of the third building structure 303 of the building system 300 of the present invention taken along the line C-C in FIG. 5A. As shown, under the normal condition (i.e., normal temperature), the vertical support strength of the third vertical support structures 3032 in the third building structure 303 is uniformly distributed throughout the entire width thereof. However, in case of a breakout of fire (i.e., under high-heat temperature) or upon encountering a terrorist attack, the third building 303 will collapse firstly toward the crash lateral side 500. The same action will take place to the second building structure 302 similar to that of the third building structure 303; a detailed description thereof is not repeated herein for the sake of brevity.

As shown in FIG. 6, the building system 300 of the present invention is under the high-heat temperature during an outbreak of a fire. Since the vertical support structures of the lower building structures have a relatively stronger vertical support strength when compared to the vertical support structures of the upper building structures, the building system 300 can maintain a firm stability under the normal condition (in the normal temperature). Note that each third vertical support structures 3032 is a steel structure constituted by columns or walls (structural pieces). In one embodiment of the present invention, the numeral amount of the third vertical support structures with the relatively low fire-resistant strength in the third building structure is greater than that of the second vertical support structures with the relatively low fire-resistant strength in the second building structure. Under this condition, in case of an breakout of fire (i.e., under high-heat temperature) or upon encountering a terrorist attack, it is likely that the third building structure 303 adjacent to the crash lateral side 500 will collapse firstly toward the crash lateral side 500 in comparison the second building structure 302 located below, thereby preventing injuries caused to the rescue personnel below and simultaneously preventing an entire vertical collapse of the building system 300 of the present invention.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

1. A building system provided with a collapse lateral side that is adapted to collapse firstly under a fire, comprising: a first building structure including a plurality of first horizontal beams and a plurality of first vertical support structures; a first fire-resistant floor erected on a top end of said first building structure; and a second building structure erected uprightly on said first fire-resistant floor, and including a plurality of second horizontal beams and a plurality of second vertical support structures; said second vertical support structures adjacent to the collapse lateral side have a relatively low fire-resistant strength compared to remaining portions of said second vertical support structures away from the collapse lateral side such that said second vertical support structures are adapted to first collapse toward the collapse lateral side under the fire; each of said first vertical support structures has an upper surface that is used for engaging with said first fire-resistant floor and that is formed with a plurality retention recesses, each of said second vertical support structures has a bottom surface that is to be disposed on said first fire-resistant floor and that is formed with a plurality of downward protrusions extending respectively into said plurality retention recesses, the building system further comprising a third heat-resistant material filling a gap between said retention recesses and said downward protrusions in order to isolate heat conduction thereamong; each of said first and second vertical support structures is a steel structure and is constituted by at least one column or wall; and each of said first and second building structures have a plurality of stories.
 2. (canceled)
 3. The building system according to claim 1, wherein said second vertical support structures adjacent to the collapse lateral side are coated by a first heat-resistant material having a relatively low fire-resistant strength while said remaining portions of said second vertical support structures are coated by a second heat-resistant material having a relatively high fire-resistant strength.
 4. (canceled)
 5. (canceled)
 6. The building system according to claim 1, further comprising: a second fire-resistant floor erected on a top end of said second building structure; and a third building structure erected uprightly on said second fire-resistant floor, and including a plurality of third horizontal beams and a plurality of third vertical support structures; wherein, said third vertical support structures adjacent to the collapse lateral side have a relatively low fire-resistant strength compared to said remaining portions of said second vertical support structures away from the collapse lateral side such that said third vertical support structures is adapted to collapse toward the collapse lateral side under the fire.
 7. The building system according to claim 6, wherein the vertical support structures of the second building structure have a relatively stronger vertical support strength when compared to the vertical support structures of the third building structure so that under the fire, said third vertical support structure collapses first toward the collapse lateral side when compared to said second vertical support structure.
 8. The building system according to claim 7, wherein the quantity of said third vertical support structures with said relatively low fire-resistant strength in said third building structure is greater than the quantity of said second vertical support structures with said relatively low fire-resistant strength in said second building structure. 